Special Times

There are days in all of our lives that are so absolutely enervating that we remember them for years to come. I'm not sure but this evening may turn into one of those.

I have an exterminator coming out next week and I wanted to get the house cleaned up for him. Pull out the appliances, mop the floors back there, etc. I was actually a bit obsessed about it because one of the guys who used to work for us told us about his days as a carpet/tile installer and how filthy it always was when the appliances were pulled out.

The first step in the process for me was to pull out a small cupboard next to the refrigerator. I had a hard time getting it to come out and when it finally did I could see why.

The wood was swollen. Puffed out an amazing amount. There was also water all over the floor.

I spent two hours mopping before I conceded defeat. I have no idea what is leaking. I am hoping I can hire my neighbor to come over tomorrow and find it. Along with having them haul the ruined cabinet(s) out to the burn pile.

I was so frustrated with the entire situation that I went outside to smell the fresh mown grass. My aromatherapy.

The good news is that doggone floor will be spotless next week.

Odds & Ends

I finished Until I Find You. Finally. All 820 pages. It took me a month (Kinda'. I read another book in the middle of that time.).

I used to read John Irving all the time. When a new book came out, I was the first to buy it. Then he got a bit boring. It was the same old, same old. Nothing special.

Oh, I wanted him to entertain me again. I kept hoping. Unfortunately, he let me down a few too many times and I gave up on him.

However, one night I was sitting in an airport waiting for the Bassman and this book was in the bookstore. It looked like it had potential so I gave it a try.

I am glad I did. Yes, some of it was typical Irving (strong woman who is not particularly likeable, a wrestling son, Toronto) but, and here is the catch, he made me laugh! It's not what I would call a comedy by any stretch but any book that can make me laugh out loud is okay by me.

Another thing that can make me laugh out loud? THE BASSMAN!


This is him out in Colorado. I thought I would share the picture so you will be able to pick him out of a crowd.

Music Appreciation

Tonight was the concert. I was pretty geared about seeing Papa Roach again and I think Avenged Sevenfold's drummer has the fastest feetses in the world (at least on the CDs). I wanted to find out if that was really true.

Per usual before a concert, I talk about it to anyone who will listen. When I was at work the other day, I was telling my boss about it. He said, "Misfit, I used to party and drink quite a bit when I was younger. But I never could get drunk enough to like that kind of music."

What a great line!

While I was at the show, between the bands Burn Halo and Papa Roach, I called Bassman. When he answered, all he could hear was the typical wall of noise associated with band changes. He asked me where I was and I told him Rupp. He said he thought I was going to a concert of Elizabeth's (see previous video - bluegrass violin) and couldn't figure out why she was opening for Papa Roach. That would have been a bizarre combination!

I stuck around for Avenged Sevenfold and their drummer does have the fastest feet in the world. He also has 3 kick drums. Maybe he is so fast because he has 3 feet.

I had seen Buckcherry before and I was getting tired so I decided to call it a night and head home.

And here is what I learned from Music Appreciation Night;

Half of the appreciating comes from being able to turn to your companion and say, "Wasn't that great?" or "What did you think of it?" When there is no companion, it isn't as much fun.

So until I can find someone willing to spend an evening listening to chest thumping rock and roll or Nine Inch Nails comes back to town, I guess I will be passing on attending any more shows.

And that makes me sad.

Animal Update (Because I Am Sure You Are Dying To Know)

It is raining today. Not such a big thing except Miss Cruella doesn't like to get dripped on. Which means she won't go pee (sorry Amy).

As I have no desire to have her urinating indoors, we have to reach a compromise. The steps involved are;
I force her outside.
She stands and stares at me.
I pick up the Frisbeetoy.
I throw the FT.
She gallops after it and on her way back to me, stops and pees.

The joys of owning an OCD dog.



On the weaning/horse front, well, as I mentioned earlier, it is raining. Because of that, I have no desire to stand outside shoveling poo. To accommodate my laziness, I turned LD back into the pasture.

So far so good. Vivid immediately came over looking for a nibble and LD was having none of it.

(Side note - she is named LD due to the duck/ostrich marking on her face. LD - Little Duck.)

Timing is everything. I had to get this done because tomorrow is Avenged Sevenfold and I don't want to have to fuss about the horses. The only thing I want to be thinking about is that good old screaming loud chest thumping rock and roll!

It's what brings out the animal in me.

Yet More Spring Stuff

I was so excited today. I saw my first dandelion. I know many people think of them as nothing more than pests in the lawn but I appreciate the bright spots of color.

The periwinkle is also beginning to bloom. That reminds me of the old Bloom County comic strips (Opus in a field of periwinkle). And who could forget the movie Snatch with Brad Pitt? He had to get his mom a new caravan. Blue. Periwinkle Blue.


The weatherman tells us that tomorrow will bring the other side of the season. Thunderstorms. Not my favorite thing.

So if you need me tomorrow, you will find Cruella and I hiding under the table.

But I Really, Really Want One!

I have gone back to work at a convenience store (kinda'. On an as needed basis.) In this store we sell all the typical convenience stuff (except for beer - dry county) and we make sandwiches, have soft serve ice cream in the warmer months, and donuts in the morning.

Last night a customer (who appeared to be feeling no pain) came in and noticed the donut case was empty. He asked if we had any in the store at all. When I told him no, he asked me if I could make him one.

I have had some crazy requests before but that one takes the cake.

Or not.

Elizabeth & Jerome

At the Bread of Life Restaurant. Elizabeth is my neighbor. One of a family of the best neighbors in the entire world.

Mona Lisa?

This is the sum total of my knowledge of sheep;
They are short,
They can jump almost any fence, and
They produce wool.

What I never knew (until now) is how absolutely cool they look with lights attached. This video is both funny and amazing. Enjoy.

Photographicating

Today was a fabulous day. Sunny and warm. I decided to spend the afternoon out gathering pictures for the other blog.

Now some people might take a map when they head out on such missions but I find maps interfere with the feeling of freedom. I am a firm believer that if I come to an ocean, in any direction, I have gone too far.

Heading out on back roads in our small county is such a treat. People wave and smile. Hey, even the mules are friendly. Quite photogenic too I might add!




No oceans today. A river or two but that was about it. Maybe next time.

After 4 days of doom, gloom, and rain the sun finally decided to make a brief appearance around 7 p.m. Cruella and I were so excited we went out for some serious frisbeetoy time.


I threw the F.T. up into the pasture while she was looking in the other direction. She didn't notice where it landed and had to go hunt for it. In the above photo you can see that it took her a few minutes (she is headed in the opposite direction).


This particular F.T. has a hole in the center. It makes it easier for her to pick up. And the 'halo effect' is an added benefit.


During a retrieval, Cruella got distracted by a mole trail. She started digging like a house afire.


She didn't find any moles but she did come away with a dirty nose and tongue.

The forecaster tells me that tomorrow will be sunny and warm. Chances are good that the two of us will be getting in some more quality F.T. time.

It's a tough life but somebody has to do it!

Will It Never End?

Oh yeah, the weaning continues. It has been two weeks since I began the separation so I thought I might try turning LD out today. I was concerned that Vivid would try to nurse and I had read that Vick's Vapo on the mare would discourage that.

Since LD wasn't about to rub the stuff on her own bag, I would have to do it. I grabbed the Vicks and started slathering it on her. I stupidly let my guard down (thinking what a good natured horse she was) and had a very loose lead on her. Apparently she didn't care for what I was doing much because she bit me. On the, uh, derriere. Tore my pocket right off my pants.

That was my hint that I was done. I led LD into the pasture and the way Vivid went at that bag made me think she may have a genuine fondness for the taste of Vick's. So much for that advice.

At the end of this encounter, LD went back in the barn. Vivid suffered severe disappointment. And I spent the evening trying to figure out a comfortable way to sit.

Ah, Spring

Today was a reminder of how wonderful the coming of spring can be. The flowers are poking through the semi-frozen ground, the birds are building nests, and the neighbor's cows are all over the neighborhood. Yup, nothing says spring like large cow pies in your yard.

The horses decided to take advantage of the warmth too. They spent the morning sprawled in the sun snoozing away.


Spring being what it is means change is a comin'. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 50's, high 30's the day after that. We must enjoy it while we can since who knows what tomorrow will bring?

For me, tomorrow brings Bassman. And that means it will be a perfect day, no matter what the weather.

O What a Beautiful Morning!

I would probably describe myself as not a morning person. I go to bed between 2 and 3 am and I usually stumble out of bed somewhere between 9 and 10.

The first hour awake is generally spent sucking down coffee and catching up on all the blogs and news on the net. By 11 am, my eyes are somewhat open and the brain is beginning to function (I don't want to read the news when I am too awake or it might bum me out!).

This morning, I was not allowed my slow, deliberate trudge into full consciousness. It began with my initial foray into the bathroom where I discovered an entire roll of paper towels shredded into oblivion. Yay!

And it would have been nice to have some paper towels because one of the cats (Cupid perhaps? It is her typical MO.) had puked just outside the food dish. So special!

Yet apparently not special enough to satisfy sweet Ziggy. She had opened one of the cupboards where I store my clothes and dragged all my black sweaters through the house. They are now sporting a gray fuzz.


However, I won't complain too loud. The sun is shining and the temperature is supposed to be close to 70. For that, I can deal with a few morning setbacks.

Unless tomorrow starts the same way.

Day 3

The weaning continues on. The stall is next to the house. That means the smell and ordure (how you like that word?) are also next to the house. And someone thinks that is FABULOUS!



A downside (is there an upside?) to this whole weaning thing is having to clean out a stall every day. Not only is the cleaning part a hassle but then the whole question of what to do with all the manure comes up.

One horse can poop a LOT. Even when the horse is out of the barn during the day, there is a minimum of 2 wheelbarrow loads. As if that isn't enough fun for one person, my garden tractor with the dump trailer is not working, which means wherever the poo is going, I will be the one pushing it to its destination.



Occasionally when I am facilitating the removal of the offal, a road apple or two fall out of the wheelbarrow. If I don't get them back in the load quickly, ole' Cruella grabs 'em and scarfs them down.

Manna! If goats poop dog food then horses poo dog treats! She can't get enough of the stuff.

However, I think it is gross and unhealthy. So I yell at her. And she gives me this...



It's very hard to argue with that. Especially when she is merely trying to help me dispose of the stuff.